It's the Bank Holiday weekend, and I'm back to work on Tuesday. End of maternity leave, end of an era. Last time. Ever. Not that I'm emotional about it!!
We've been on our holiday, but first we had to finish school and nursery. The three weeks before the end of term were frantic with sports day, graduation, leavers disco, Elizabeth's school trip, concerts... always something! It was really emotional when Edward actually left nursery - I cried most of the week, and wrote a poem for him to take in on his last day thanking them again for everything.
We set off on 20th July and had two weeks in a lovely barn conversion near Bigbury. I found it stressful yet again - the general lack of any time off, the expectation that we'd be out each day with hats, sun cream, coats, fleeces, picnic, beakers, nappy change kit etc. I found it relentless, and we had some of the worst arguments we've had in a long old time. Came home feeling slightly frazzled, even though the children had had a really good time, and we over-lapped with Mum and Dad in the first week so it was nice to spend some time with them.
Came home and things slotted into more of a manageable routine. I've now had three weeks home alone with the children and we've been fruit picking, and to Attingham Park, and we've had the idea that we might like to get some chickens.
At the beginning of last week Sarah decided she was ready to get out of nappies, so on went the 'big girls pants' and off she went. No accidents to report! She must have been ready! She still wears pull-ups for her afternoon nap, but so far so good. Last weekend we also moved Sarah into a big girls bed, and Charlotte moved into the cot, so the two little girls are sharing a room. It's not always perfect, but so far so good.
I've been sewing name labels onto school uniform every night, and have also taken to the garden! I asked a gardening company to come and have a look, and was inspired to tackle some of the weeds myself after that. They are coming back at the end of September to do a general tidy up. We've also had an (astronomical) quote for the conservatory roof, and for decorating in the living room and children's bedroom. Slow progress.
I've bought new work clothes to go with the shoes I bought earlier in the season, and am 'looking forward' to new challenges as much as I can. I'm applying to work for the exam board in the hope of bringing in extra money and strengthening my CV. I'm also wondering about doing private tuition. Generally optimistic, but also very tired (need to sort out Charlotte's night wakings). I've got a hen party to go to in two weeks so that will mean leaving Charlotte for the first time over night. We've got husband's birthday bbq next weekend to plan for, then the start of school on 3rd September.
